Morning rundown: Streaking is important

ANAHEIM -- While their five victories rank quite low on the scale of artistic value, the Ducks are quite pleased with a winning streak that's enabled them to dig out of their early hole and move upward in the Western Conference standings.

It could also pay off in the long run. Outside of some teams playing well like the Kings, Detroit, Vancouver and St. Louis, no one has truly separated themselves in the conference and it illustrates how important a winning streak is when teams are often beating each other and vice versa on any given night.

The points they are racking up now in November could be very meaningful in April if they are fighting for a playoff spot.

"You need points, simple as that," Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said. "You do a calculation based upon last year's qualification for the playoffs. I think it took 96 points to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. In order of your to get 96 points, you've got to be how many games over .500. It's a lot of games over .500.

"Historically .500 used to get you a chance. But now it doesn't even give you a sniff anymore. In order to quality for playoff position, you have to put streaks together throughout the season and continue to win your share of games. More than your share of games, both at home and on the road."

Colorado actually grabbed the eighth and final playoff spot in the West last season with 95 points. But the Avalanche also had a 43-30-9 record.

The basic truth is the majority of playoff teams will split at least half of their schedule between wins and losses. It is those teams that put occasional winning streaks together and avoid streaks of regulation losses that tend to advance to the postseason.

Not only did Ducks need this current stretch their on but they'll need a few more as the season wears on.

"I think everybody tries to do the same thing," Carlyle said. "Everybody wants to get on that roll and win a bunch in a row. And then if you do lose a hockey game, you want to nip it in the bud and come back with a strong effort so that you don't carry those losing streaks.

"We're all trying to do the same thing. We're all trying to win as amany games as possible and there's lot of pressure on everybody to perform."

"I just read about it," Selanne said. "It's interesting. It's almost like in school where two guys pick out the team. Whoever's going to be picked last is going to be [upset]."

Said Perry: "We'll see what comes of it. The All-stars are picked and then the two captains, they go into a room or whatever they do and pick the team. It's going to be fun. It's going to be interesting. It's a learning experience and we'll see where things go."

USA Today hockey writer Kevin Allen suggested that the 40-year-old Selanne could be chosen as a captain along with Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom. Selanne laughed off any talk about him making the All-Star squad.

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